Summary
Darth Maul’s evolution from Sith apprentice to one of the galaxy’s most feared dark side users is a journey marked by betrayal, vengeance, and a relentless pursuit of Jedi. As seen inStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Palpatine intended Darth Maul to serve as something of a Jedi hunter and executioner, cutting down isolated Jedi-Padawan teams whenever he got the chance. Fortunately for the Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi cut the villain down swiftly.
Maul’s story shares a chilling connection with another group of dark side enforcers:Darth Vader’s Inquisitors. These ruthless Jedi hunters, introduced inStar Wars RebelsandObi-Wan Kenobi, serve a purpose eerily similar to what Palpatine originally intended for Maul. In fact,Star Warshas confirmed thatPalpatine even gave them the same unusual and distinctive technology to help them in their quest.
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The Cloaked Ships: A Tool For The Hunt
Stealthy Vessels Were Essential For Sith Missions
One of the most striking similarities between Darth Maul and the Inquisitors is their use of cloaked ships. Maul’s iconic Scimitar, also known as the Sith Infiltrator, was equipped with a cloaking device that allowed him to move undetected, striking fear into the hearts of his enemies.This stealth technology gave Maul a significant advantage, allowing him to hunt his prey without being seen.
An excerpt from the upcomingStar Wars Encyclopedia, published onAmazon, confirms that some Inquisitor ships had stealth capabilities as welll. The Scythe shuttle, seen inObi-Wan Kenobi, has “secret cloaking capabilities, laser cannons, and a heavily armored command cabin. Its two wings fold up to allow the ship to land in very narrow areas.” It is apparently theGrand Inquisitor’s ship of choice.
Palpatine’s Vision: Maul & The Inquisitors As Jedi Hunters
Both Served As Instruments Of Sith Power
The connection between Maul and the Inquisitors runs deeper than their shared use of stealth technology. Both were designed by Palpatine to serve as tools for hunting down the Jedi. Maul was initially trained by Darth Sidious to be his secret weapon, an assassin who could eliminate the Jedi without drawing attention to the Sith’s grand plan. After Maul’s apparent death,Palpatine used Darth Vader and his Inquisitorsfor the same purpose after Order 66.
The Inquisitors carried out the task that Maul was initially meant to perform.
The Inquisitors, under the command of Darth Vader, carried out the task that Maul was initially meant to perform.Their existence highlights Palpatine’s enduring obsession with eradicating the Jedi and ensuring the Sith’s dominance.While Maul operated alone, driven by personal vengeance, the Inquisitors function as a collective force, illustrating how Palpatine’s methods evolved but his goals remained the same throughout theStar Warssaga.
Jul 24, 2025
Darth Maul
Palpatine’s apprentice, Darth Maul was nothing more than a tool to winnow down the ranks of the Jedi ahead of Darth Sidious' true plans. Discarded after he was defeated by Obi-Wan Kenobi on Naboo, Darth Maul swore revenge against all those he blamed for his past struggles - Jedi and Sith alike. Maul tended to operate within the shadows, running various syndicates, and even established himself as a true rival for Palpatine on at least one occasion. He was eventually killed by Obi-Wan in a duel on Tatooine.
